Feingold Weighs In On Wisconsin Protests

By Sean Sullivan  //  March 10, 2011 | 2:32 p.m.
Updated: March 14, 2011 | 1:55 p.m.

The Wisconsin state Senate voted Wednesday night to eliminate collective bargaining provisions for most public workers, causing protesters to react angrily to the latest development in the ongoing battle between Gov. Scott Walker (R) and government unions.

Among those expressing his displeasure was former Sen. Russ Feingold (D).

"Last night will be remembered as a black mark on the history of Wisconsin government," Feingold said in a statement. "Proponents of this plan should remember: Wisconsin's citizens will hold their elected officials accountable," he added.

Efforts to recall state senators -- Republicans as well as the Democrats who left the state -- are underway. Some protesters have even called for Walker himself to be recalled -- something that can't happen until Walker has been in office for at least one year.

Would Feingold consider a run for governor if Walker was recalled?

"He [Feingold] supports the protests and has joined in them. Russ, however, is not focused on running for a political office right now. He is teaching at Marquette Law School and writing a book and is involved in the political arena through Progressives United," a Feingold aide told Hotline On Call, when asked if Feingold would be interested in running.

Feingold, who was unseated in 2010 by now-Sen. Ron Johnson (R), launched his Progressives United PAC in February, with a keen focus on pushing back against the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling that rejected limiting corporate political spending. Whatever may be in Feingold's political future, it's clear the dispute in Wisconsin allows the former senator to remain visible to his progressive base in a debate that has become increasingly political in recent weeks. And in a state without a deep Democratic bench, expect Feingold's name to continue to surface in discussions about future races. -- Reid Wilson contributed to this post.

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